You will need a curtain ring, short blunt needle and some fine wool/thread, I used some scrap sock wool. The curtain ring I got from my local scrap store, Ulverston Scrap Store.
There are four parts to stitching a dorset button.
Casting (covering the ring)
Slicking (pushing the stitch ridges to the inside of the ring)
Laying (making the spokes)
Rounding (filling the gaps)
Thread the needle, as I am using a 1 1/2 inch ring, I will need 180 inches of thread. This will cover all the ring including the spokes without having to join more thread (if you think you do not have enough thread join more after the casting part).
CASTING
Secure the wool to the ring with a knot. Keep hold of the short end of the thread and make blanket stitches all the way around the ring covering the end of the thread.
It is important to make sure all the stitches are quite tight and close together. To finish the blanket stitching, slip the needle through the first stitch. DO NOT cut the main thread.
SLICKING
You will now see your button has a ridge of stitches on the outside. These stitches have to now face inwards and to do this twist the stitches slowly with your thumbnail.
LAYING
This is the part where you make the spokes.
Hold the ring with the thread at the back and at the 12 o'clock position. Wind the thread down the back and up around to the front original position. Turn the ring slightly and make your second wrap around the ring continue to do this at even spaces until you have 10 individual spokes. The spokes at this stage will not look very centred and they need to be secured with a little stitch. To do this bring the needle up from the back and down the opposite side, making a little stitch, then make another stitch crossing the first, this will secure everything.
ROUNDING
You will now be using a back stitch around the spokes to fill them in. Remember after each stitch pull them a little tight this will give you even stitches. Bring the needle up through the button and pass it back down over the spoke clockwise. Bring the thread up two spokes anti-clockwise (when counting your spokes include the spoke you have just stitched) and pass it back down over one spoke clockwise. When you have finished one round make sure the spokes look centred, if they are not then use your needle to push them to the middle.
After this carry on with the stitches until you have filled your button up.
When the button is full bring the thread to the back of the button and into the middle. Make two small stitches to hold the button together, leave a long thread to use for sewing onto your project.
Hope everyone has fun making these, they are very addictive!
To find a scrap store that is local to you please have a look on the Reuseful UK website.
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